Compare lenses

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM vs Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x

The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM if you want a wider view (from 100mm equivalent). Pick the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x if you want a brighter f/4 (0.3 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds.

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM	Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x
Maker	Canon	Canon
Focal length	100-400mm (zoom)	200-400mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	100-400mm	200-400mm
Maximum aperture	f/4.5-5.6	f/4brighter
Made for	Full frame	Full frame
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF
Stabilised	yes	yes
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	4.0×more range	2.0×
Cameras it fits	22 in this guide	22 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM: 100-400mm.

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x: 200-400mm.

Aperture

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM: f/4.5 wide open.

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x: f/4 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

22 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body.